For the fourth year in a row the Wanganui rugby team will play in the final of the Meads Cup.

By defeating Poverty Bay 48-13 last Saturday, Wanganui emphatically confirmed their right to play in the final this weekend.

It was not so easy for Mid-Canterbury who battled to defeat South Canterbury 19-12 to earn their place in the final.

The clash between Wanganui and Mid-Canterbury is a repeat of last year's final which was won by Wanganui (at home) 27–12.

The match will be played at Rugby Park, Christchurch, with kick off at 4.05pm on Saturday.

Both Sky Sport 1 and the Rugby Channel will screen the match live.

Mayor Michael Laws is travelling to Christchurch to support the Wanganui team and is confident that last year's win over Mid-Canterbury can be repeated even though this is an away match.

Mayor Michael Laws last week announced that Wanganui District Council will hold a joint campaign with Christian Social Services to support Wanganui's Food Bank operation.

At its meeting held on October 19, the Council resolved:

THAT a joint Wanganui District Council/CSSW Wanganui Food Bank campaign include:

• Wanganui District Council's support with publicity and promotion: providing Food Bank Campaign information in Community Link, the Council's Community Report, and in notes to ratepayers.
• Three-monthly public appeals.
• Approaching local supermarkets for containers and tamper-proof receptacles.
• Making available up to $10,000 from the Mayoral Relief Fund for a 'dollar for dollar' appeal.
• Investigating the ability for the Council to assist with storage of food in Council-owned or Council-controlled buildings.

"The City Missioner says that the Food Bank is often the entrance point for families seeking extended social services, including budget skills and parenting skills, to achieve a long lasting improvement in our lifestyles," Mayor Laws said.

"We need to ensure that this essential community service is retained and the Council is committed to supporting it on an ongoing basis. The current tough economic and financial times mean we should help the most vulnerable and needy in our community, and especially those with children."

"Food Bank is not a soft touch but an organisation that helps the tummy and then starts assisting with budgetary skills - this is a practical charity. The joint campaign is a major social policy initiative and the beginning of an ongoing relationship."

City Missioner Shirley-Joy Barrow said children and their families are high users of the service as they continue to be affected by the economic downturn.

"These children and teenagers are often hungry because of the behaviour of their parents. Our social work has increased as we enter into relationships with these families and encourage them to change their behaviour.

"So far this year, along with their parent/s, we have fed 826 children and teenagers. We have had more first time families requiring food parcels – 84 so far in 2009 – and more families turning up at Friendship Meals, especially during school holidays.

"If we give out 150 food parcels per month at $80 per parcel, that's more than $140,000 worth of food that we have to find every year, so we are very grateful for community donations. We will also be working hard to match the extremely generous 'dollar for dollar' contribution from the Mayoral Relief Fund."

A wide range of activities is planned to celebrate Wanganui's River Week from November 1-8. Visit the Events page on our website for details.

Forget the expense, dangers and hassles of fireworks at home and bring the whole family to enjoy the spectacular entertainment and pyrotechnics extravaganza at Cooks Gardens on Saturday, November 7.

The Skyshow returns to Cooks Gardens with the promise of a night of spectacular entertainment, including fireworks, Army display, radio controlled helicopters, gymnastic display, bands, merry-go-round, giant slide, air worm, jousting, mini train rides, Life Education classroom, face painting, balloons, food stalls and more. Plus a magnificent fireworks display to light up the night.

Gates open at 6.30pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, children under 14 years free admission if accompanied by an adult.

Buy your tickets now at the Royal Wanganui Opera House to avoid delays at the gate. Gate sales will be available.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Arts Coordinator
Applications close 30 October 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council (Reconvened meeting of Monday, October 19) – Friday, October 30
- Late Item: Adoption of 2009 Annual Report

Youth – Monday, November 2 (4.00pm)
- Appointment of New Youth Councillor; Resignation of Youth Councillor; Presentation – Green Bikes; Dead Animals at Castlecliff Beach; Correspondence Corner; Youth Suicide Prevention; National Youth Forum on Cultural Diversity; Projects, Working Party and General Updates; Youth Services Activity Report.

Community Development – Tuesday, November 3
- Police Presentation; Strategy and Policy Activity Report; Intention to Participate in Government's Broadband Initiative; 3.30pm Wanganui.com Presentation; Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report; Mural Art – Funding Options; Youth Job Opportunities; Family Friendly Funding: Cooks Gardens Events; International Relationships Report; Iwi Liaison; Property Group Activity Report; Draft Virginia Lake Reserve Management Plan Submissions.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, November 10

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm in the Council Chamber, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.